4.5.2 Aesthetic heritage values

Aesthetic heritage values refers to people’s perceptions of the beauty of a site or object and is one of the criteria for which the Great Barrier Reef is inscribed on the World Heritage List (Section 4.2.1). While aesthetic heritage values are strongly influenced by visual appearance, all the senses play a role. Aesthetic values influence the way in which people value and enjoy the Reef.1160

Early European explorers helped shape their society’s perceptions of the Reef through evolving awareness and appreciation — not only of its value as a sheltered route for shipping and source of economic opportunities, but also as a place of scientific interest and aesthetic splendour.1164 

94 per cent of residents rate the Reef’s aesthetic beauty as outstanding

In 2021, a survey of 2488 Catchment residents demonstrated that 94 per cent of respondents consider the aesthetic beauty of the Reef as outstanding.1075 These results have remained stable since 2013. Residents within the Wet Tropics and Mackay Whitsunday regions rated the beauty of their region more highly than Townsville and Fitzroy residents.1159 These surveys do not identify if the respondents are considering aesthetic beauty above or below water; or if they are based on visual or other sensory criteria. While residents rated the aesthetic beauty as outstanding, they were cognisant of the threats that the Reef faces (Section 9.3.1). 

Since 2019, some progress has been made towards understanding the tangible elements of the Region’s aesthetic heritage values. Several studies specific to the Great Barrier Reef have developed methods for measuring aesthetic values, including cross-cultural comparisons of aesthetic perceptions, using artificial intelligence and non-expert views for rating aesthetic value. However, these methods have not yet been applied systematically to measuring aspects of aesthetic value in the Region.1165,1166,1167,1168 

Aesthetic beauty is linked to the condition of the Region’s ecosystems. Community perceptions of specific habitats, areas or other aspects of the Reef’s aesthetic beauty remain a knowledge gap. The perception of the aesthetic beauty of the Reef remains high, despite some declines. 

An aerial image of mangrove trees partially submerged at high tide amongst turquoise waters, with mountain range and white fluffy clouds on the horizon.
A tranquil scene of mangroves submerged at high tide © Johnny Gaskell 2021
  • 1075. Hobman, E. V., Mankad, A., Pert, P. L., van Putten, I., Fleming-Muñoz, D., Curnock, M. 2022, Monitoring social and economic indicators among residents of the Great Barrier Reef region in 2021: a report from the Social and Economic Long-term Monitoring Program (SELTMP) for the Great Barrier Reef, CSIRO Land and Water, Australia.
  • 1159. Curnock, M.I., Pert, P.L., Maharjan, D., Gordon, B. and Kaniewska, P. 2022, Design and implementation of social surveys for Regional Report Cards in the Great Barrier Reef catchment., CSIRO Land and Water, Townsville.
  • 1160. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority 2017, Social Value Assessment Guidelines, Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Townsville.
  • 1164. Lloyd, R. 2020, An extraordinary barrier: European exploration, shipwrecks and early heritage values on the Great Barrier Reef 1770–1860, History Australia 17(1): 40-58.
  • 1165. Le, D., Becken, S. and Whitford, M. 2020, A Cross-Cultural Investigation of the Great Barrier Reef Aesthetic Values. Report to the National Environmental Science Program., Reef and Rainforest Research Centre Limited, Cairns.